Planocraph co



O. OHLSON.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR TIME FUSES. APPLICATION. FILED MAY 23, 191T.

Patented July 29, 1919.

ln/ve/n/ior Olaf OhZSow 2 COLUMBIA PLANOORAPH co., WASHINGTON, 0.. c.

iiniTnn STATES PATENT onrrcn.

OLOF OI-ILSON, OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO WALTI-IAIVL WATCH COMPANY, OF WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSA- CI-IUSETTS.

Application filed May 23, 1917.

To all whom it may concern: 1

Be it known that I, OLOF OHLSON, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at Newton, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Locking Devices for Time-Fuses, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to mechanical time fuses for shells and is particularly embodied in a combined means for locking and releasing those adjustable parts which determine the time at which the shell shall be exploded. Fuses of the type to which this invention relates possess driving motors of various sorts, and a timing member which is driven by such motor but is adjustable relatively thereto so as to cause or permit actuation of a firing device after lapse of a longer or shorter period of time; such timing member, together with a case or cover inclosing the mechanical fuse and being itself movable, or having a movable portion, which may be actuated so as to adjust said timing member. It is the object of my present invention to provide a means, such as a coupling, by which the timing member can be connected with such movable case, which may for the purpose of this invention be called the adjusting element, a lock for securing the adjusting element in any one of a variety of positions, and a controller for said coupling and lock, said controller being preferably operable so as simultaneously to release the coupling While securing the lock, or vice versa.

For convenience of illustration and explanation I have here shown my present in vention as applied to a mechanical time fuse of essentially the type and character of that disclosed in my pending application for Letters Patent of the United States No. 104,416 filed June 19, 1916, although without intending thereby to indicate anylimitation of the invention thereto.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section and part elevation of a fuse embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan View on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 29, 1919.

Serial No. 170,421.

part of the fuse as seen from the right of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail cross section on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. o is a cross section enlarged of the controller element of my present invention.

Fig. 6 is an elevation of said controller.

Fig. is a cross section ofthe sameon line 77 of Fig. 6.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the figures.

In the drawings 11 represents the base of the fuse, which is adapted to be mounted on the end of a loaded projectile, preferably by being screwed into an opening provided therein. This base carries a priming charge and such passages as are necessary to conduct the flame therefrom to the bursting charge of the projectile (not shown because being outside of the scope of the present invention and not necessarily involving any modification from existing types of time fuses). On the base is mounted a motor which includes a frame 12 and a center staff 13, the latter being driven, in the embodiment shown, by a spring under control of an escapement mechanism, but it may be driven by any of the motive means, such as a weight at one side of the shell axis, or a vane exposed outside of the fuse case, or other means which have been or maybe employed in mechanical time fuses. The center staff or arbor has frictional engagement with a timing member 14, which is here shown as a disk having a circular periphery in which there is a notch 16. The disk holds a release lever 17 inthe position shown in Fig. 2, said lever having a finger 18 which bears on the periphery of the disk, the lever itself being in a difierent plane from the disk, and having a shoulder 19 which lies in the way of a trigger arm 20 which-is movable in a slot 21 in the top plate 22 of the motor frame when the shoulder is displaced from over this slot, thereby releasing a firing pin, For details of the mechanism thus sketched in outline, attention is directed to my application Serial Number 104,416 aforesaid. When the timing member, being rotated by the motor in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2, has advanced until the notch-16 is beside finger 18, the latter is allowed to enter such notch and the shoulder or obstruction 18 at the same time to move away from over the slot 21, thereby releasing the arm 20 of the trigger mechanism and allowing the hammer or firing pin to detonate the primer and so explode the charge.

The timing member is adjustable about the arbor 13 to vary the angle between the finger 18 and notch 16, thereby varying and regulating the time of exploding the shell with reference to the time of firing the shell from the gun. This adjustment is effected by an adjusting element 23 which is essentially a' ring mounted on the base 11, having a cylindrical flange 24 which fits within a eomplemental lip 25 on the base and is locked therein by a wire or equivalent lock 26 in the well known manner, so that it may be rotated. This adjusting ring also carries a cap 27 secured by screws 28 in a manner clearly shown in Fig. 1. Movement of the adjusting element is communicated to the timing member through a coupling 29 which is a flat spring piece secured at one end by a rivet 30 or other suitable means to the adjusting element as shown in Fig. 2, its other end being bent over to provide a finger 31 adapted to enter a second notch 32 in the timing member near the notch 16. Said coupling provides a positive connection between the timing member and the adjusting element whereby rotation of the latter in, either direction is communicated in exact measure to the former.

The coupling 29 has already been described as a spring. It is so formed and has such a set, that its resilience tends to withdraw the finger 31 out of the notch 32, and it is retained in such notch only when pressed thereto by external force. For applying this force I apply a controller 35 shown in enlarged detail in Figs. 5, 6, and 7 and a stud 36 fixed to, or otherwise suitably engaged with, the coupling 29 and extending into a passage in the adjusting element, its outer end bearing against the con troller.

Said controller has a shank 37 fitting rotatably in an opening in the side of the adjusting element near the passage which receives the stud 36, and a head which overlaps the stud, as shown best in Fig.1. In the outer side of the head is a slot 38 wherein an instrument for turning it may be inserted. A part of the zone of the inner surface of the head which engages the stud 36 is cut away at 39, so that this portion when brought by rotation of the controller adjacent to the stud is more remote from the timing member than that part. of the head which is shown in the drawings as being be-' side the stud; VVheu the parts are in the position shown the controller head holds the coupling in engagement with the timing disk, and this position is indicated by an index 40 on the outer surface of the controller, which is exposed and visible, being adjacent to a mark 41 on the adjusting member, such mark being preferably designated by the word safe or equivalent indication. When the controller is turned until the cut away part comes beside the stud 36, this position being externally indicated by the propinquity of the index 40 with a second mark 42 on the adjusting member or the adjacent cap, then'the stud is left free to move outwardly to the limit afforded by the cut away part 39 and is moved by the relaxing of the spring coupling 29, whereby the "finger 31 is withdrawn'from the notch 32, leaving the timing element free to be driven in the direction of the arrow by the motor. But the timing member is provided with a tongue between the two notches which projects across the inner end of the finger 31 even when the latter is thus withdrawn, for the purpose of preventing displacement of the disk backwardly by reason of its inertia when the shell is suddenly set to spinning.

The same movement of the controller which releases the coupling as above described also locks the setting member so that the latter can not be shifted by the same force of inertia at the same time. For this purpose I provide a lock 44 constituted by one arm of a two-armed lever which has a hub 45 confined between the inner wall of the adjusting ring and a bridge 46 which embraces said hub, as shown in Fig. 4, and is secured by rivets 47 or other suitable fastening means to the adjusting ring. The hub at its outer side fits a groove 48 in the inner wall of the adjusting ring, and at its other side bears against the bridge, thus providing'a fulcrum for the lever. A second arm 48 on the locking lever is beside the edge of an inner head 49 of the con troller, the same being conveniently made as a disk fitted over a squared reduced end portion 37 a of the controller shank, and secured thereon by a screw 50, as shown in Fig. 5. This disk or head is cut away at one side of the center as indicated at 51, so that when this cut away part is beside the arm 43, the lock is released and is free to move away from the complemental locking rib 52 on the base by a spring 53 which is arranged, as shown in Fig. 1, to bear on the arm 48 and to react a ainst a 9111 54 which irovides its abutment. When the controller is turned so that the part of the head 49 which is not thus cut away comes beside the arm 4 the lock is brought into engagement with the rib, 52, thus securing the adjusting ring so that it can not be turned; the particular purpose and function of so locking the ring being to prevent its dislodgment from the adjusted position by reason of its inertia when the'shell is suddenly set to rotating by the'riflingof the gun, thereby holding the Coupling so that the latter makes a firm abutment for the tongue 43 of the timing member, which prevents such member from being dislodged, as above described.

The recessed parts 39 and 51 are disposed, in the construction shown, at approximately right angles to one another with respect to the axis of the controller, whereby it fol lows that when the coupling is engaged with the timing member, the lock is released, and the adjusting element thereby left free to be turned so as to set the timing member; while when the controller is so placed as to release the coupling from the timing member, it operates the lock to secure the adjusting element as described. Other arrangements of coupling, lock, and controller, may be made all Within the scope of the invention here claimed provided the controller is appropriately designed and constructed to cause the adjusting element to be locked when the coupling between this element and the timing member is disengaged, and vice versa.

I prefer to providemeahs to limit the movement of the controller so that the same may be operated if desired without visual reference to the indicating marks, the embodiment of such means here shown being a stud 55 fixed on the adjusting element and projecting into a recess 56 in the head of the controller, abutments 57 and 58 at the ends of such recess defining the limits of the controllers movement.

l/Vith the graduations 4:1 and 42 are preferably associated significant indications such as the words safe and fire respectively, or equivalent words or symbols. When the controller is in the safe position the fuse may be adjusted, and when it is in the position indicated fire adjustment is no longer possible but the coupling and. lock are so set that the shell may be fired. The controller may be moved back and forth any number of times between these positions, thus making it possible to readjust the fuse after a previous adjustment has been made, as incase alteration in the range has been ordered. Return of the controller from the firing to the safe position causes return of the coupling finger into the notch 32 because no movement of the timing member can have taken place in the mean time, the fuse mechanism being provided with appropriate looks or detents, such as those shown in my prior applicatlon aforesaid, or others equivalent thereto, to prevent the motor from starting to run until the shell has been fired from the gun.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a time fuse the combination with an adjustable timing member and an adjusting element, of a releasable coupling between said member and element, said coupling being also an abutment for the timing memher when released, a lock for securing the adjusting member against displacement,

and means for simultaneously securing sald lock and releasing said coupling.

2. In a time fuse the combination with an adjustable timing member and an adjusting element, of a releasable coupling between said member and element, said coupling being also an abutment for the timing member when released, a lock for securing the adjusting member against displacement, and means for simultaneously securing said lock and releasing said coupling, said means being also constructed and operable for releasing said lock and reengaging said coupling.

3. The combination in a mechanical time fuse with a driving motor, of an adjustable timing member, an adjusting element, a coupling between said member and said element, a lock for said element, and means for simultaneously operating said coupling and lock. V

4. In a time fuse the combination with a driving motor of a timing member adapted to be driven by said motor but being adjustable relatively thereto, an adjusting element, a coupling between said member and element whereby movement of the latter adjusts the former, said coupling being constantly subject to force tending to cause its release, a controller for causing engagement of said coupling against such force, which is of yielding nature, and a lock for securing the adjusting element in position, said lock being constantly urged yieldingly, toward its unlocking position, the controller being constructed and adapted to permit release of the coupling and simultaneously cause engagement of the lock.

5. In a time fuse the combination with a motor and timing member operable by the motor and adjustable relatively thereto, of an adjusting element, a coupling carried by said adjusting element and engaged with the timing member, whereby movement of the adjusting element in either direction is enabled to move the timing member correspondingly, a controller for causing engagement and disengagement of the coupling, said coupling when thus disengaged and the timing member having cooperating portions arranged to prevent backward movement of the timing member by inertia, and a lock for securing the adjusting element in adjusted position, being operable thereto by the controller when the latter is so placed as to cause disengagement of .the coupling.

6. A time fuse comprising in combination a base, a motor mounted on said base, a timing member engageable with the motor to be driven thereby, but being adjustable relatively thereto, an adjusting ring rotatal. l. O

bly mounted on said base, said ring and timing member having their movements about the axis of the base, a coupling carried by the ring and having a finger directed toward the timing member adapted to enter a notch in the periphery of the latter, said coupling member being under tension tending constantly to withdraw its finger from said notch, a controller adapted to apply force positively to the coupling to engage the same with the timing member, a tongue on the timing member extending across said finger when the latter is withdrawn from the notch, to prevent reverse movement of the timing member by inertia, and a lock carried by the adjusting ring engageable with a portion of the base for locking the ring in adjusted position, said controller having a portion which causes such operation of the look when disengagement of the coupling is permitted.

7. In a time fuse in combination with the base, motor, and the adjustable peripherally notched timing member thereof, an adjusting ring rotatably mounted on the base, a coupling secured to said ring having a finger directed toward the timing member and adapted to enter the notch thereof, said coupling being under tension tending constantly to withdraw said finger from said notch, a stud on the coupling passing into an aperture in the ring, a lock swiveled to said ring having a part adapted to bear on a portion of the fuse and also havlng an operating arm, and a controller having two heads, one of which is beside said stud and the other is beside said arm, said heads being so formed that when placed in one position one of the heads bears on said stud and holds the coupling in engagement with the timing member, while the other head permits release of the lock, while in another position said other head bears on said arm and causes engagement of the lock, and the first head permits outward movement of said stud and release of the coupling.

8. In a time fuse the combination with an adjusting ring of a controller rotatably mounted in said ring and having an inner and an outer head, a resilient coupling secured to said ring, a stud engaged with said coupling passing through a hole in the ring into engagement with one of said heads, a lock swiveled to the ring having an arm adjacent to the other of said heads, said heads having cut away portions relatively so arranged that in one position of the controller the cut away portion of the first head is adjacent to said stud, and in another position of the controller the cut away portion of the second head is beside said lock arm.

9 In a time fuse, the combination of an adjusting ring having an axially eXtendmg rlb, a lock consisting of a two armed lever,

'one arm of which is a lock arm and the other is an operating arm, and having a widened fulcrum portion between said arms, the ring having a recess into which said fulcrum portion fits at one side, a bridge secured to the ring embracing said lock and engaging the other side of said fulcrum portion, a spring mounted in the ring pressing against said operating arm, a controller rotatably mounted in the ring having an inner head of which the perimeter overlaps the end of said operating arm, such head being cut away in part at the side next to the arm, whereby rotation of the controller is adapted, in cooperation with said spring, to lock and release the lock, said controller having also an outer head, a coupling constructed as a flat spring secured at one end to the ring and having an inwardly directed finger, a stud passing through the ring engaged with the inner side of said outer head and also engaged with the coupling, the latter being under tension tending to place its free end near the ring, the inner side of said outer head being cut way in part to permit outward movement of the coupling when said cut away part is adjacent to said stud.

10. A controller for a time fuse of the character described comprising a shank, heads arranged at opposite ends of said shank, each of said heads having a cut away operating portion at the side adjacent to the shank.

11. A controller for a time fuse of the character described comprising a shank, heads arranged at opposite ends of said shank, each of said heads having a cut away operating portion at the side adjacent to the shank, and one of said cut away portions being angularly displaced about the axis of the controller with respect to the other.

12. In a time fuse, the combination with a base, an adjustable timing member, an adjusting element mounted on the base, a coupling between the adjusting element and the timing member adapted to be disengaged to permit driven movement of the latter, and locking means for securing the adjusting element against movement relatively to the base by inertia when the shell carrying the fuse is suddenly set to rotating, the coupling and timing member having complemental abutting means to prevent backward dislodgment of the timing means at the same time.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

OLOF OHLSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

